Shhhh!

[crazycarl]

After mass today I was approached and asked if called upon, would I help crew on a boat for the Wednesday evening races.  Joanie tried to explain that I'm not into racing and that I sail to relax, but her friend was persistant and I agreed.

Now, for those who have attended a CLR and witnessed my racing in-abilities, take a moment and dry the laughing tears from your eyes.  Dry and clear?  Okay, let's proceed.  Hopefully during a race I can stay aboard long enough to learn something about racing, proper sail trim, and the correct route around a marker.  _{these are big boats so i won't be hanging over a transom trying to get an outboard started.} 

Joan really wants me to make friends here so please, not a word of my racing mis-talents or you'll never have the chance to laugh at me at a CLR race again.
_{not susre of that is a real threat to anyone}

[peterg]

Agreeing to crew for Wednesday night racing on a C&C 35 about forty  years ago, with only dinghy sailing under my belt, was one of the best things I ever did to advance my sailing skills. All of the lessons learned applied equally well to my subsequent cruising boats. Enjoy it.....racing is a powerful gateway drug to better sailing......even more so than Bob23's liberal applications of PBR !!!

[Seachelle]

Sounds like a lot of fun, Carl! Please keep us posted on your adventure! I've been tossing the idea of racing around in my head, next season, on my Legacy -- for fun and the experience of trying it out as an adult sailor! Back in the 70's and 80's growing up, I crewed on my father's Shipman/Accent 26. It was a thrilling experience and I remember getting so excited for the races and the annual regatta at our lake!

[brackish]

I've raced a lot, but always as crew on someone else's boat.  That is the best way to race.  Think about it, you don't tear up your boat pressing at the start or turn buoys or trying to carry a little to much sail.  It only can be bad if you get a bad skipper.  That only happened once for me, when, during a Biloxi to Gulfport race it turned into a "bake and bob" with no wind and all the other boats dropped out at the halfway point, pulling into the Broadwater Marina for a drink, while our skipper kept us out so he could finish and declare himself winner of this pointless race. The committee boat had even gone in, so his win was for bragging rights despite the fact it wasn't official. Needless to say it was my only race with him.